World Cup latest

[oldcolner]

Burnley winger Jóhann Berg Gudmundsson remains doubtful for Iceland's second Group D match of the 2018 World Cup against Nigeria on Friday, June 22.

According to Iceland assistant manager Helgi Kolviðsson, it is uncertain whether he can count on Gudmundsson after he suffered a calf injury in their 1-1 draw with Argentina last weekend.

''Joe is bad. If he is not ready then a man comes in his place. This is something we make a final decision tomorrow, "
Kolviðsson said at Wednesday morning's press conference.

"This will be close. It is completely clear. We hope the best and do everything we can do. "

Good luck Joe!

[whittyclaretandblue]

Why do the VAR referees need to be in full kit to sit at a TV monitor they are not even in the stadium.

[Supersub6]

Why do the VAR referees need to be in full kit to sit at a TV monitor they are not even in the stadium.

Because they have been instructed to do so by their bosses. Do as you are told and it usually will prolong your career. MInd you, I have been unable to discover whether or not they are equipped with their whistles and cards!

[sinkov]

Because they have been instructed to do so by their bosses. Do as you are told and it usually will prolong your career. MInd you, I have been unable to discover whether or not they are equipped with their whistles and cards!

That just kicks the can down the road Ss, why then have their bosses told them to be in full combat gear when they're hundreds of miles from the action ? I think I know the answer actually, because the people running this farcical VAR circus are fruitcakes and morons, that's why.

[Supersub6]

That just kicks the can down the road Ss, why then have their bosses told them to be in full combat gear when they're hundreds of miles from the action ? I think I know the answer actually, because the people running this farcical VAR circus are fruitcakes and morons, that's why.

As seen in FourFourTwo magazine:-

According to a certain Pierluigi Collina, who chairs FIFA's Referees Committee, and suggests the officials' stress levels justify them wearing the full kit.

"It’s because they sweat like they do on the pitch," the 58-year-old Italian told reporters.

"It’s not like watching a game on the couch while drinking coffee. It’s very stressful, so they can’t be dressed like a clerk."

Another rule tweak which has sparked lively debate is the committee's decision for referees not to make tight offside calls so that VAR can effectively override them.

Collina added: "If you see some assistant referee not raising the flag, it’s not because he’s making mistakes. It’s because he’s respected the instruction to keep the flag down.

"They were told to keep the flag down when there is a tight offside incident and there could be a very promising attack or a goalscoring opportunity because, if the assistant referee raises the flag, then everything is finished."

[Supersub6]

If Morocco had had a decent striker they would have walked the game against Portugal. Needless to say, the Potuguese superstar sealed the result very early on in the game whilst he and a number of his team mates continued with quite a lot of play acting in an effort to get Moroccan players booked. Where is VAR when you want it? It certainly hasn't had any effect on some of the divers!

[The Bedlington Terrier]

FIFA need to clearly define, "Clear and obvious".

My wife laughed out loud for a full five minutes when she saw the Men from Vars dressed up in full referees' kits.

It still tickles her now, but then she asked with ten TV screens to look at, how could they miss the two Kane penaltes?

I honestly had no answer.

[sinkov]

FIFA need to clearly define, "Clear and obvious".

My wife laughed out loud for a full five minutes when she saw the Men from Vars dressed up in full referees' kits.

It still tickles her now, but then she asked with ten TV screens to look at, how could they miss the two Kane penaltes?

I honestly had no answer.

Perhaps this is the problem, they dress like refs, so they act like refs, and miss the bleedin obvious. Get 'em dressed up like ordinary fans and they might manage to see what's actually going on.

[Supersub6]

Perhaps this is the problem, they dress like refs, so they act like refs, and miss the bleedin obvious. Get 'em dressed up like ordinary fans and they might manage to see what's actually going on.

You mean like the ordinary fans who think that you can't have a free kick in your own half if someone is deemed offside? lol

BT --there was so much pushing and holding going on at the corners that, just like the PL every week, it is impossible to sort out just who has done what without guessing ----officials should not guess.

[The Bedlington Terrier]

They did not need to guess, 56 bleeding cameras captured every wrestling hold.